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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
|---|---|---|
| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Special Meeting - Open Session July 16, 2007 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin |
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"Times New Roman"'>The Special meeting was called to order by President Arlene Silveira at 5:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
PRESENT: Laura Checovich
STAFF PRESENT: Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT: George McShan, Consultant
1. Sharing of Information with a Consultant concerning the Operation and Accountability of the MMSD Board of Education
(Packets included articles recommended by the consultant. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Ms. Silveira shared her reasons for wanting to hold this kind of workshop.
Mr. McShan, a school board member for 20 years, described his district as predominantly Hispanic, with 18,000 students, and a university. He strives to have an impact on student achievement for all students.
Overhead presentation highlights: Responsibility of Educational Leaders in ensuring that high school diplomas are like a "good housekeeping seal of approval" to achieve success after graduation. He commented on the changing times and the challenge of knowledge succession, what our youth must do, rigorous curricula, globalization, checking the moral compass, learning to code-switch (function in different environments), displaying entrepreneurial acumen, understanding trends and acting on them, developing contextual intelligence (innovation and creativity), and embracing diversity. He stated that the board is the voice of the children--not the community, that all children need an equal chance, and the board should focus on raising student achievement, closing the gap, challenging those on top, and taking care of special education.
Mr. McShan asked each of the board members to share their feedback on the following topics: strengths of this district, issues/areas in need of improvement, opportunities, and threats.
He described a new program called early college that they are trying in his district. He spoke about what makes people change - desire, environment, incentive, pressure/heat. He gave an analogy about the district as a bus - driver is the Superintendent and the Board gives the destination. The Board has to do a good job of telling its story. The community is not on the bus. Staff is on the bus, board is "molding the clay," trust is built from inside out.
Discussion:
v What the media in Madison expect of the board members.
v Working as a team and sharing views during open meetings.
v Using the board president as the spokesperson.
v Spreading the responsibility for communications among the members.
v Using the media to get out the really good stories.
v Tension between groups of parents and the desire to provide a challenging academic environment for all students.
Recessed at 6:49 p.m.
Reconvened at 7:01 p.m.
The remainder of the workshop focused on the following topics: the role of the board, the role of the superintendent, using the chain of command (referring people to those who are closest to the problem and then following the chain of command), vision, capacity building, and teamwork.
FOLLOW UP: Send information on Early College to the Board.
2. Other Business
There was no other business.
3. Adjournment
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.
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